Activist aid ship hit by drones on way to Gaza, NGO says

According to its organizers, a vessel carrying humanitarian aid and activists for Gaza was targeted by drones in international waters near Malta early Friday. The Maltese government later reported that everyone on the ship was rescued and safe.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a worldwide NGO, released video clips depicting a blaze on one of its vessels, called the Conscience, and accused Israel. The Israeli foreign ministry did not promptly respond to a request for a statement.

The Maltese government announced that maritime authorities received a mayday distress call from a ship indicating a fire shortly after midnight local time. The government stated that the ship was beyond territorial waters and contained 12 crew members along with four civilians.

It stated that a nearby tugboat proceeded to the location and initiated firefighting efforts, while a Maltese patrol ship was sent out. After many hours, the ship and its crew were safe, it noted, stating that the crew had declined to board the tug.

In a previous social media update regarding the incident, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition stated that the ship was in danger of going down with 30 global human rights advocates aboard.

The coalition is working to lift Israel’s blockade of Gaza. It stated that it had been coordinating a peaceful action while keeping the media unaware to prevent any possible sabotage.

“Volunteers from over 21 countries travelled to Malta to board the mission to Gaza, including prominent figures,” it said in a fuller statement on its website.

“On the morning of their scheduled departure, the vessel was attacked. Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull. The last communication in the early morning of the 2nd of May, indicated the drones are still circling the ship.”

It published night-vision video that displayed lights in the sky ahead of the vessel along with the sound of blasts. The video also displayed the ship in flames.

The Gaza conflict began following the October 7, 2023 assaults, during which Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 individuals and abducted 251 hostages to Gaza, as per Israeli counts. Since that time, Palestinian health officials report that Israel’s assault on the enclave has claimed over 52,000 lives.

Another coalition vessel with a comparable goal to Gaza in 2010 was intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of nine activists. Other vessels have likewise been halted and searched, with no fatalities.